The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

"Huh? There's such a thing?" Jin Cheng stopped in his tracks and rummaged through the memorial cover, only to find it tucked inside.

The little devil exclaimed in amazement, "Uncle, you're incredible! How did you even know about this?"

Luo Jingfeng thought to himself: How many memorials have I written in my life? You, who merely reviews them, can't possibly compare.

But the proud Duke of State Protection had no intention of saying so.

He sat down and ignored the boy again.

Jin Cheng was used to it by now. He cheerfully ran back, ordered Buyan to tell the minister to rewrite and resubmit the memorial, then sat down to review the others.

Several days passed like this, with Luo Jingfeng listening to him review memorials.

Yes, just listening.

The little devil insisted on explaining every single memorial to him, sharing his thoughts and proposed solutions.

Luo Jingfeng went from initial impatience to stuffing his ears—but his hearing was too sharp to block anything out.

Every word of his nephew's rambling reached him.

He was thoroughly exasperated!

Here he was, a military man, stuck in the emperor's chambers day after day, forced to listen to the review of memorials—filled with childish yet bizarrely effective tactics, meddling here and there.

The most infuriating part? Everything was executed flawlessly, leaving no trace behind.

These past few days had left Luo Jingfeng with one overwhelming realization: This brat understands human nature too well. He had every faction and official figured out, then used his childlike demeanor as a shield, making it nearly impossible for anyone to suspect him.

Strangely, it was almost comforting.

At least the little rascal wasn't just tormenting him.

Plenty of court officials were even dumber!

By the seventh day, people outside the palace grew restless.

Though everyone knew the emperor had kept Luo Jingfeng in the palace for archery training, seven days without a single word was unheard of. This wasn't an imperial summons—it was a disappearance.

General Pang submitted three consecutive memorials, claiming Luo Jingfeng's family had begged him to ask when the duke could return home.

Only if the Duke of State Protection showed his face could they be sure he was unharmed.

But the little devil refused outright. He replied with a smile, "No can do. Uncle is helping me with secret training. Once my archery improves, I'll let him go home."

General Pang pressed on, growing increasingly agitated. "But Your Majesty, the Luo family misses the Duke dearly—"

The young emperor narrowed his eyes. "General Pang, what nonsense are you spouting? When Uncle was away at war for years, did his family ever rush to the border demanding his return? Why is it that now, just because I've kept him for a few days, they suddenly object? Do they have a problem with me?"

General Pang immediately dropped to his knees. "Your Majesty, I meant no offense! I merely—"

The emperor's expression darkened. "Stop pestering me with questions. The Duke of State Protection is my uncle, a hero of Great Chu. What do you think I'd do to him?"

With that, he laid bare General Pang's unspoken fears, cutting through the pretense of archery training.

The general, never skilled in debate, was left speechless against the sharp-tongued, quick-witted young emperor. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty is right."

Still, whispers spread through the court—was the Duke of State Protection truly detained? Or worse, secretly executed?

No one believed the emperor capable of such a thing.

Instead, suspicion fell on Zong Zhao.

"..."

Zong Zhao was forced to shoulder the blame.

By the tenth day, the little devil was still explaining memorials to his uncle. "This guy keeps falsely accusing Censor Wei. Not only does he form factions, but he also spreads rumors to stir up trouble, destabilizing the court. His embezzlement records are extensive, second only to Bao Guyu. But we can't act yet. We just purged one corrupt official—taking down another so soon would be too obvious. And if we eliminate two major offenders in quick succession, the people might think the court is riddled with corruption. Public morale could collapse."

Luo Jingfeng had no choice but to listen.

The boy fretted over the court, the people, public sentiment, and how to deal with treacherous officials.

There was only one solution to this dilemma.

If too many corrupt officials were purged at once, the people would panic.

If they were left unchecked, the court would remain unstable.

Luo Jingfeng's approach? Just kill them.

Eliminate the threat first, stabilize the court.

As for the embezzled funds, they could be seized discreetly. He'd send his men to raid the house—with his notorious reputation and overwhelming authority, no one would dare question what happened inside.

But now… the decision rested with Jin Cheng.

This twelve-year-old emperor, raised by Chu Heng, would never resort to such methods. His heart wasn't ruthless enough.

And that was Luo Jingfeng's greatest concern about letting his nephew rule alone.

The little devil tilted his head, deep in thought. He frowned, twirled his brush—

The ink-laden tip left a streak on his own face.

"​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‍..."

Idiot.

Luo Jingfeng considered suggesting his solution, but the moment he did, the boy would surely scold him for being bloodthirsty.

He sealed his lips.

If I say one more word to this fool, I'll reverse my name!

After some deliberation, Jin Cheng called out, "Buyan, come in."

Buyan entered, took one look at the ink "mustache" on the young master's face, and twitched his lips.

Typical.

"Your Majesty, your orders?" The dutiful fifth-rank guard commander asked.

Jin Cheng inquired, "Have you met Fang Zhizhou from the Ministry of Justice?"

Buyan nodded. "Yes, he visited the imperial study a few days ago and spoke at length. He left in a foul mood—probably lost the argument."

Jin Cheng burst out laughing. "He was just whining! First, he complained during court, then chased me to the study to slander others. So annoying."

Buyan asked cautiously, "What does Your Majesty wish to do?"

Jin Cheng blinked innocently. "I want to kill him."

Luo Jingfeng's head snapped up in shock. Did the boy just say that?

Did he really come to the same conclusion?

But Jin Cheng abhors killing—since when did he dare?

Buyan gulped. "So… an execution order?"

Jin Cheng shook his head. "No, no. It has to be an assassination. Quietly, without anyone noticing."

Buyan: "..."

That sounded way too familiar.

He ventured, "Your Majesty wants me to assassinate him?"

Jin Cheng shook his head again, grinning shamelessly. "I wouldn't dare. You do it."

Buyan: "!!"

You wouldn't dare?!

You wouldn't dare, but you're ordering it?!

You're too scared to do it yourself, so you're making ME do it?!

Perfect. The familiar rage of serving this young master returned.

Buyan took a deep breath, chanting internally: Fifth-rank official. Fifth-rank official. My ancestors are smiling upon me. My ancestors are smiling upon me…

The little devil continued, unfazed. "If the assassination fails, let me know. If it succeeds… well, don't tell me. I've never killed anyone before. I'd be terrified."

Buyan: "......"

Just kill me instead.

Being your subordinate is far too taxing on the heart.

Buyan...

Another day, another moment Buyan longed for Shunzi.

He decided that once this task was done, he would persuade Shunzi to enter the palace—he absolutely needed a good brother like him to lean on!